AFL.com.au assesses the All Australian captaincy candidates
THIS appears to be one of the most wide-open All Australian fields in years, and we're just talking about the captaincy.
There are eight club captains among the 40-player squad, which will be whittled down to the final team on Monday night.
And AFL.com.au believes there are five candidates who have genuine claims be named All Australian captain at the end of the evening.
Joel Selwood (Geelong): If the selectors agree with the AFLPA, then the Geelong skipper will be named captain for the first time tonight. Hard, creative and skillful, Selwood oozes leadership and to be named captain would add another line in a footballing resume that is already chock full of team and individual honours.
Luke Hodge (Hawthorn): Hodge was named All Australian skipper in 2010 and would join Paul Roos, Wayne Carey, Paul Kelly, Michael Voss and Mark Ricciuto as a multiple skipper if he gets the nod. As the on-field general for the Hawks, Hodge has taken control of several games this year, and perhaps even saved a couple, the hallmark of an outstanding captain.
Jobe Watson (Essendon): No AFL captain experienced a more trying year this season than Watson. His work in keeping the Bombers united and focused for so much of the year was exceptional. And it is because of these exceptional circumstances that few would begrudge him being named All Australian captain ahead of some candidates who, at least on paper, have had better seasons.
Gary Ablett (Gold Coast): Like Hodge, he is bidding to join the join the dual All Australian captain group, having led the team in 2011 - his first year with Gold Coast. Ablett has developed into an outstanding leader with the Suns and in 2013 took his game to another level. He was named the AFLPA's MVP last week and is the raging favourite to win his second Brownlow Medal.
Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney Swans): McVeigh is a classic example of a captain whose actions count for as much as his dynamic play. The Swans are flint hard, come to play every week and much of that is due to the selfless work ethic of McVeigh, who has taken his own game to new heights this year through the midfield to be in the running for an All Australian jumper for the first time. To be named captain would be a fitting tribute to a sider and club that goes about its football consistently well.
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